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Best Preschools and Daycares 2019
For the care and education of the most valuable people in your life, these facilities provide a safe and nurturing environment that puts your mind at ease.

by Liz Hunter

One of the hardest parts of being a parent is entrusting your child’s care to others. Whether seeking a daycare setting or preschool, parents want to know that their child is going to be safe while learning, growing and, of course, having fun. Suburban Family aims to quell any anxiety through its annual Best Preschools and Daycares list, featuring the information parents need to make a decision—from class size and tuition to exciting programming. The following facilities have developed a stellar reputation for their services and your child would be in good hands with any of them.

Beginnings at MFS— The Moorestown Friends School Early Childhood Program
110 E. Main St., Moorestown, (856) 235-2900, BeginningsAtMFS.org
Hours: 8:05 a.m. to 3:10 p.m., extended day hours are 7:15 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Programs: Full- and half-day programs are offered for five, three or two days
Fees: $8,975 to $19,100
Ages: Starting at age 3
Waitlist: Yes, the program fills in the spring for the following school year
Student to teacher ratio: No more than 7:1
Fun Fact: Beginnings at MFS students enjoy regular coding classes with a full-time coding teacher, skills that will be in high demand as the 21st century progresses. Whether your child becomes a doctor, chemist, theatrical set designer, librarian, lawyer or computer programmer, (s)he will be equipped with valuable computational thinking, problem-solving and teamwork skills developed from an early age.

Bright Beginnings Academy
315 Fries Mill Road, Sewell, (856) 582-1144; 1600 Chapel Ave. W., Cherry Hill, (856) 438-5321; BBANJ.net
Hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Programs: Full- and half-day options
Fees: Costs vary depending on school/program Ages: 6 weeks through kindergarten
Waitlist: Yes
Student to teacher ratio: 4:1 infants; 6:1 toddlers; 10:1 preschool and kindergarten
Fun Fact: Both schools were recently rated four stars by  Grow NJ Kids, a state system that rates child care and early  education programs.

Discovery Corner Child Care & Enrichment Center
53 Haddonfield Road, Suite 322, Cherry Hill, (856) 667-6333, DiscoveryCornerKids.com
Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Programs: Infant, toddler, preschool and pre-K programs with full-day options
Fees: Costs vary by age and program
Ages: 6 weeks to 5 years
Waitlist: No
Student to teacher ratio: 4:1, infants; 6:1, toddlers; 10:1, juniors and preschool; 12:1, pre-K
Fun fact: Discovery Corner students can find their passions with the help of trained professionals in enrichment programs like American Sign Language, hands-on science class, yoga and gymnastics.

Future Scholars Early Learning Center
1351 Route 38 W., Building B, Suite 1, Hainesport, (609) 518-1333, FutureScholarsLearning.com
Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Programs: Infant, toddler, preschool, before and after care and summer camp
Fees: Costs vary per age and program
Ages: 6 weeks to 13 years
Waitlist: Some age groups, call for availability
Student to teacher ratio: Varies per class
Fun Fact: Future Scholars is a Grow NJ Kids four-star rated  program.

Lightbridge Academy
4518 Church Road, Mount Laurel, (856) 552-2808; 10 Grove St., Cherry Hill, (856) 373-4484; LightbridgeAcademy.com
Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Programs: Infant, toddler, pre-K programs available
Fees: Call or visit for information
Ages: 6 weeks to 7 years
Waitlist: At Mount Laurel in some classes
What’s New: Where children start their developmental journey matters and children thrive in this caring and engaging curriculum. The opening of Cherry Hill expands the availability of this highly sought-after child care program in South Jersey.  

Little Ambassadors  
Calvary Hill Church, 535 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, (856) 891-3669, LittleAmbassadors.org
Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Programs: Full-time and part-time enrollment available, 12 months
Fees: $175/week (full time)
Ages: 18 months - kindergarten
Student to teacher ratio: 6:1
Fun Fact: Little Ambassadors operates in partnership with  Ambassador Christian Academy which educates students through eighth grade.  

Haddonfield Friends Schools
47 Haddon Ave., Haddonfield, (856) 429-6786, HFSFriends.org
Hours: 7:15 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Programs: Full- and half-day with before- and after-care as needed
Fees: $6,425-$16,675
Ages: 2 years old to 6 years old
Waitlist: sometimes
Student to teacher ratio: 7:1  
Fun Fact: Students are partnered with cross-grade mentors for weekly projects, and classrooms have two certified teachers with separate Spanish, physical education and music teachers.

Sari Isdaner Early Childhood Center at the Katz JCC
1301 Springdale Road, Cherry Hill, (856) 424-4444 ext. 1242, KatzJCC.org/ECE
Hours: 6:45 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.
Mondays through Thursdays; 6:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays
Programs: Half day 9 a.m. 11:45 a.m., school day 9 a.m.-3:15 p.m., full day 6:45 a.m.-6:15 p.m.
Fees: Costs vary per age and program
Ages: 6 weeks to 6 years with a pre-K and certified full-day kindergarten
Waitlist: Yes, for some age groups
Student to teacher ratio: Infant to 18 months - 1:4; 18 months to 2 ½ years - 1:6; 2 ½ years to 4 years -1:10; 4 years old -1:12; 5 years old -1:15
Fun Fact: Each classroom is staffed with at least two teachers at all times. The school also offers a variety of enrichment programs for students, which includes Zumbini, STEM classes, Abrakadoodle art and a  traveling library.

Shining Lights Early Childhood Center
1720 Springdale Road, Cherry Hill, (856) 424-4915, ShiningLightsOnline.org
Hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Programs: Full-day kindergarten with half-day and full-day options available through pre-K
Fees: Costs vary per age and program
Ages: 6 weeks to 6 years
Waitlist: Yes, for some age groups
Student to Teacher Ratio: 4:1 to 10:1 from infants through preschool
Fun Fact: After 20 years in Cherry Hill, six former students have returned as staff members.

Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Family Magazine, Volume 9, Issue 12 (February 2019).
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